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Sushi

I was a huge fan of late afternoons on the deck of the Studio this summer. If you ask me, there was nothing better than sitting outside with some friends, having a yummy cocktail, eating sushi, and taking in the beautiful view of Rocky Neck. Especially if you weren’t in a rush.

Summer is behind us, but when given a 3 hour window to go play this past weekend, we readily headed straight towards the Studio anyway.

The fall menu is out and we ordered some obscene chili and cheese fries, chicken dumplings, and….of course…sushi. The Kiss the Fish and Red Dragon rolls to be exact. Pair those with a pumpkin beer with a cinnamon sugar rim and I’m a goner.

True that the deck is gorgeous, but I’m equally as happy hunkering down at the inside bar. The high ceiling, massive paned window, and wood finishings are totally cozy and comfortable.

They won’t be open much longer, towards the end of November is what I’ve heard rumored, so check out the fall menu soon. And….maybe give me a call first ;)

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A few months ago, Midori Chinse and Japanese bistro (32 Washington Street) started hosting an “Artist’s Cocktail”, 8-11PM on Wednesday nights (live music by Henry Allen and the New Swingset, as well as by guest artists; plus other things like poetry and dance by guests, etc.). That event was the occasion for me to eat at Midori for the first time in a few years. The time I had been there in the past I had not been overly enthused by the food, but now that has totally changed! I now go almost every Wednesday night and sometimes once or twice more during the week. It helps that I now live very nearby, but I would probably go even if I didn’t. The prices are reasonable, and I love their food! They offer a wide range of Chines and Japanese cuisine. (Their Japanese dumpling soup is one of my personal favorites.)

Besides that, the owner and staff are friendly and take care of their regular customers. A few times the manager has sent to our tables complimentary portions of something special from the kitchen or a scoop of ice cream. Just yesterday he sent my friend and me small, well-presented plates of fantastic, spicy macaroni and cheese.

A sampling from their $8 lunch buffet:

Here are some more photos I’ve taken there:

A few people have mentioned that when that restaurant first opened several years ago they had a bad experience of one kind or another. If that was the case, as far as I can tell things have really changed! Although sometimes the wait staff seems stretched a little thin, I (and friends of mine) have been going regularly for months with no problems. On the contrary, it’s now my favorite oriental restaurant in town!

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Last week Janet and I parked ourselves at the Madfish Sushi Bar. It had a view of our two professional sushi chefs and Smith Cove. Our appetizer was a dozen Pemaquid (ME) oysters, which were new to us. They get Chowhound Fred’s seal of approval. Excellent! The waitstaff gives you prompt service and coordinates seamlessly with the chefs.

These are two sushi rolls: the Rocky Neck (L) and the Parisienne (R). So delicious, and there’s so much to choose from.

Not exactly dessert, but better. This the the "Toro" Sashimi. They sear the edges with a torch. It literally melts in your mouth!

Omakase.
The greatest sushi chef in the history of sushi chefs will understand that you want him to create the most interesting, tasty, orgasmic presentation of sushi you’ve ever had the pleasure of eating.

Listen to me.

I’m not joking.

This is not hyperbole.

Orgasmic.

I have no idea how Jordan ended up at Madfish but every time he absolutely decimates my already high expectations.

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The Fish on Fridays series is a collaboration between Gloucester photographers Kathy Chapman and Marty Luster. Look for various aspects of Gloucester’s centuries-old fishing industry highlighted here on Fridays.

This week we have interviews with sushi chef Jordan Rubin from Rocky Neck’s Madfish Grille about his famous Glosta rolls, and his goal to visit the fish auctions in Japan.

We also have a video of Jordan placing tobiko on the Glosta rolls. Tobiko is the Japanese word for the flying fish roe. The raw roe is very nutritious, due to its high vitamin content, high protein content, and large ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids.

Still shots show their Black Thunder spicy tuna rolls and a Salmon Sushimi appetizer with charred ramp and ginger scallions. Delicious indeed!

The Sushi prepared at Madfish Grille is far and away the best sushi I’ve had anywhere.

I make that statement without any homerism involved. I’ve eaten sushi all over the place- California, Las Vegas, NYC, countless high end sushi joints. No joke- no exaggeration- the sushi at Madfish prepared by Jordan and his staff is the best I’ve ever eaten. The most creative, the most brilliantly prepared the most savory delicious sushi I’ve ever consumed. I can’t stress it enough.

My recommendation is to ask them to make you whatever they’d like. Jordan told me the term for this style of ordering but I forget the Japanese saying. Last time in we went with his recommendations and were blown away.

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That June 18th is National Sushi Day? There is no other place to be on June 18th than Madfish Wharf for their amazing sushi. But you don’t have to wait until the 18th. Go to Madfish Grille any time (Tuesday through Sunday) for lunch or dinner of the best sushi you’ve ever had. Check out Sushi Chef Jordan holding a tray of his amazing surf and turf with steak and lobster.

Sushi not your thing? I went a couple of nights ago and being a perpetual seeker of the perfect burger, I had to try their’s and I have to say, it was possibly the best burger I’ve ever had. Perfectly charbroiled and dripping with cheese and carmelized bacon and onions. And doesn’t that softshell crab sandwich look amazing?

E.J. Lefavour

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Here we have Joey with treenails sticking out of his ears. Treenails were used in ancient shipbuilding to secure the planks of the boat, and are still used today by builders like Harold Burnham at Burnham Shipyard in Essex on boats like the pinky schooner Ardelle. These treenails are Ardelle passes, which Joey received yesterday at the gallery from Harold, delivered by Len Burgess, giving him passage on the Ardelle.

Last night was the opening of Madfish Grille and a bunch of us artists on Madfish Wharf went down after we closed our galleries to have dinner, courtesy of the generosity of our friend and fellow artist, Alma McLaughlin, who treated us. I’ve been craving some of Jordan’s sushi, and last night ordered the Thunder, which did not disappoint, and even tasted more amazing than I remembered from last year. The others who had sushi were equally pleased. It was the first night the Madfish was open for the season and there were a few hitches. The bar hadn’t yet been fully stocked so a couple of people in our group couldn’t get what they wanted to drink, and there were no lights on coming down Madfish Wharf, giving the appearance that the place was closed once it got dark. Hopefully that will all be rectified before the weekend. The service was great and the place looks beautiful. If you’ve been hankering for some of Jordan’s (or Sang’s – who is back at Madfish this season and is getting hitched in June – sorry all you gals who has crushes), come on down to Madfish and get your fill.

E.J. Lefavour

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Well the time is here, in spite of recent frosty days and nights. A new season is upon us and lots of great things are planned this year on Madfish Wharf, starting this Thursday. Have you been salivating for some of Jordan’s amazing sushi or other tasty fare from Madfish Grille? Well you’re in for a big surprise. The Madfish has been majorly spruced up and redecorated with some amazing work by Ben McAdam, in addition to an expanded sushi bar. They are opening this Thursday, May 16th, so come on by and satisfy your tastebuds.

Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester will be opening for the season on Thursday as well, so come by and check out all the great new work by Joey C. and GMG contributors Donna Ardizonni, Fr. Green, Craig Kimberly, Kim Smith and Paul Morrison, as well as Deb Schradieck, Judith Monteferrante, Roger Salisbury and your’s truly. We will be having a Grand Opening Mug Up on Sunday, May 26th. Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss it.

Aquatro Gallery sneak preview. Gigi Mederos and Stevie Black are back and they are taking no prisoners. This year, look for Aquatro at Gallery 4 (next door, where Wendie Demuth Photography was the past two years). In addition to Gigi’s and Stevie’s work, they will also be carrying Ben McAdam, Mary Bowles, Bella & Me, to name just a few. Do not miss.

Carol McKenna has taken the plunge and opened her own gallery in the red barn which was previously Sigrid Olsen’s Isla. Carol is having her opening on Saturday, May 25th from 5:00-8:00pm, so mark your calendar now for her champagne and chocolate opening.

Since Carol has decided to open her own space, she is looking for someone to take her guest artist space at Khan Studio July 27-August 9 (super prime time). If you are interested in taking this exhibit time, email me at khanstudio@comcast.net.

Caroline Kwas is back with her Intimate Landscapes Gallery at G4 and is now open.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Rocky Neck this year. And on your way to Madfish Wharf, don’t miss all the other galleries that are now open on Rocky Neck, and get yourself some yummy ice cream at Kiss on the Neck.

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Free GMG Gloucester Sticker

As long as supplies last if any GMG folks want a bumper sticker but can't drop down the dock, just send a self addressed and stamped envelope longer then 7 and a half inches and I'll drop one in the mail for you.

Send the self addressed and stamped envelope to the dock at 95 East Main St Gloucester Ma 01930 care of Joey (put my name in big letters to make sure it gets to me)

Free GMG Gloucester Sticker

As long as supplies last if any GMG folks want a bumper sticker but can't drop down the dock, just send a self addressed and stamped envelope longer then 7 and a half inches and I'll drop one in the mail for you.

Send the self addressed and stamped envelope to the dock at 95 East Main St Gloucester Ma 01930 care of Joey (put my name in big letters to make sure it gets to me)